Mechanism for making wire reinforced fabric spring liners or the like



N. E. SHOCKEY ETAL 2,800,151 MECHANISM FOR MAKING WIRE REINFORCED FABRIC July 23, 1957 SPRING LINERS OR THE LIKE I 13'Shaets-Sheat L Original Filed llgy 1'7. 1950 July 23, 1957 N?" MECHANISM FOR MAKING WIRE REINFORCED FABRIC E.'SHOCKEY ET AL 2,800,151

SPRING LINERS OR THE LIKE I3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed May 17 1950 A rro/wwrrs July 23, 1957 N. E. SHOCKEY ETAL' 2,

7/ MECHANISM FOR MAKING WIRE REINFQRCED FABRIC 7 spam: LINERS OR THE LIKE Original Filed May 17. 1950 l3-Sheets-Sheet '3 II E: 1E1

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MECHANISM FOR MAKING WIRE REINFORCED FABRIC SPRING LINERS OR THE LIKE Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed May 17, 1950 l g IN VEN TOR AfW/O/V 4-1 avaorsr y 1957 N. E. SHOCKEY ETAL 2,800,151

A MECHANISM FOR MAKING WIRE REINFORCED FABRIC SPRING LINERS OR THE LIKE 13 'Shaats-Sheat 7 Original-Filed May 17 1950 N. E. SHOCKEY ETAL 2,800,151 MECHANISM FOR MAKING WIRE REINFORCED FABRIC July 23, 1957 SPRING LINERS OR THE LIKE l3 Sheets-Sheet 8 Original Filed May 17. 1950 INVENTORS #67770 1.- 61905475? NM Na vm Nov m m NOV 3mm mmh v oh 2.6 mm 0mm, mam

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N. E. SHOCKEY ETAL 2,800,151 MECHANISM FOR MAKING WIRE REINFORCED FABRIC July 23, 1957 SPRING LINERS OR-THE LIKE 13 Sheets-sheaf 9 ori inal Filed May 17, issq Arromn/zrs 5 am o my N p l .u [A 0 m [m WW i 0 wk mom WOW NW, 1 Y wk IF H a 5 EH m I1 A r n I t H: um :I 3 H QR 6 Emm m wwm W3 03 omh mw w? I won 1 \R wmm u m m vm SR 1|.I1. my Rm mm on} R my? July 23, 1957 N. E. SHOCKEY ETAL 2,300,151

MECHANISM FOR MAKING WIRE REINFORCED FABRIC SPRING LINERS OR THE LIKE Original Filed May 17, 1950 155116818-511891- l0 H0 Wmao nzwana W/lk/NS @MQW July 23, 1957 N. E. SHOCKEY ETAL MECHANISM FOR MAKING WIRE REINFORCED FABRIC ls-shee ts-sneet 11 SPRING LINERS OR THE LIKE Original Fi-led May l7 1950 INVENTORJ A iwrozv f. swam {Y won n00 Vi/V0444 IY/tK/IVS wun 6 FM ATTOIP/Vf/J E- SHOCKEY ETAL MECHANISM FOR MAKING WIRE REINFORCED F 2,800,151 ABRIC July 23, 1957 SPRING LINERS OR THE LIKE l3 Sheets-Sheet 12 Original Filed May 17, 1950 INVENTORS 692 Win TONE. swam 5r HOW/7'90 Will pill [VIII/N6 2,800,151 ABRIC July 23, 1957 N. E. SHOCKEY ET AL MECHANISM FOR MAKING WIRE REINFORCED F SPRING LINERS OR THE LIKE Original Filed May 17. 1950 13 Sheets-$11661. 13

2 a m. 6 J a INVENTORS nrzn ro/v f. swoc/rzr 199M420 It'd-Win14 Wax/Ms Afi'Ok/VfKS MECHANISM FOR MAKING WIRE REINFORCED FABRIC SPRING LINERS OR THE LHE Newton E. Shockey, Detroit, and Howard Wendall Wilkins, Centerline, Mich., assignors to V. D. L. Corporation, a corporation of Michigan Original application May 17, 1950, Serial No. 162,496, now Patent No. 2,643,842, dated August 18, 1953. Divided and this application November 17, 1952, Serial No. 320,874

11 Claims. (Cl. 140-3) This invention relates to improvements in mechanism for making wire reinforced fabric spring liners or the like.

This case, a division of our co-pending case Serial Number 162,496, now Patent No. 2,648,842, issued August 18, 1953, which relates to a wire feed and wire supporting mechanism and to a fabric advancing mechanism all of which are synchronously operable. A wire bending and cut-01f mechanism and a fabric cut-ofi mechanism each of which are more particularly described in the co-pending case, operate in synchronism with the aforementioned mechanisms.

In the fabrication of automobile seat and back cushion spring liners comprising a fabric web transversely threaded with wire strands whose ends are bent over the margin of the web and the web then cut to sections of a desired length, it is desirable to perform all the attendant operations on one machine to reduce the cost of production. An integral part of the fabrication is the insertion of strands of wire transversely into the fabric ,WebQ Therefore it is an object of this invention to provide in a fabric spring liner fabricating machine, of the character above mentioned and specifically disclosed in our co-pending application Serial Number 162,496, a wire feed device which will insert Wires transversely into a fabric web as the web passes through the machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide a wire feed mechanism which will insert a wire transversely into a fabric web in such a manner that the wire will pierce the web at several spaced apart points across the transverse extent of the web.

A further object of this invention is to provide in a spring liner fabricating machine a fabric web feed mechanism adapted to draw a fabric web through the machine in a step by step fashion and a wire advancing mechanism which is operable to insert a wire transversely into a fabric web so drawn through the machine during the pauses between the step by step advance of the web.

A still further object is the provision in a fabric spring liner fabricating machine of mechanism operable to advance a wire transversely through a fabric web at spaced apart intervals along the lineal extent of the web as it passes through the machine, and being adjustable to determine the spacing between said intervals.

An even further object is to provide in a machine for making automobile cushion spring liners a fabric web advancing mechanism operable to advance a fabric web through the machine in a step by step manner with a pause following each step, and adjustable to vary the amount of web that passes through the machine during each advancing step.

A meritorious feature is the provision in a fabric spring liner fabricating machine adapted to draw therethrough a fabric web in a step by step fashion, of a wire feed mechanism operable to advance a wire transversely through the web passing through the machine during the pauses intermediate the step by step movement of the nited States Patent Patented July 23, 1957 ICC fabric, and being adapted to suspend such wire advanc ing movement during certain of said pauses.

As the fabric web is drawn through the machine the web is fluted and the wire is inserted through these fluted portions. The wire is then cut oif and bent over the marginal edges of the web. Therefore, another ob ect is to provide a machine of the class described provided with complementary upper and lower sets of fluting shoes adapted to flute a fabric web travelling therebetween, said shoes being provided with aligned wire guide channels through which a wire is advanced as it is thrust through the flutes in the fabric, and provided with wire holding means adapted to hold stationary that section of the wire thrust through the fabric while the wire is cut off and as its ends are bent over and clenched into the fabric. Such wire holding means has one position at which it holds the wire stationary, a second position at which it is partially open and provides a guide for the wire, and a third completely open position at which the fabric web may be advanced thereover.

The machine is provided with improved wire feed mechanism which responds at desired intervals to feed the wire through pleats formed in the fabric and which includes wire holding and braking mehauism functioning in timed relationship therewith and adapted to hold the wire against advance except when it is desired to advance the same. Such wire braking mechanism is operatively coupled with the wire feed mechanism so that simultaneously with the rendering of the 'wire feed inoperative the brake automatically grips the wire and holds it stationary.

A meritorious feature of the wire feed mechanism is that it comprises two opposed pairs of complementary wire feed rolls, one pair of which is constantly driven and the other pair of which is held away from driving engagement with the wire and away from the first pair except at those times when it is desired to advance the wire when such pair of rolls is moved into goo-operative driving relationship with the first pair of rolls and grips the wire thereagainst to be driven thereby. The movable pair of rolls is cam actuated. The driving coupling between the cam and such pair of rolls includes a part which is normally interposed therein to make the coupling complete so that the rolls are actuated for each revolution of the cam. Such part is subject to control of timing mechanism so that it may be Withdrawn from such coupling permitting the cam actuated part of the coupling to move idly during one revolution of the cam without actuating the rolls and therefore without feeding the wire.

In the path of advance of the wire through the wire guide there is provided a point at which the switch is positioned at such point to be engaged and tripped by the buckling of the wire. This safety switch when tripped stops the machine.

More particularly, the machine includes a rotatably driven shaft and fabric advancing mechanism operatively coupled with the shaft to respond to each revolution thereof to advance the fabric web a single step with a pause following each step, and wire feed mechanism operatively coupled with the shaft to respond to each revolution thereof to thrust a wire transversely through the web during the pause following each step of a de- Such shaft is shown as provided with a plurality of cams so relatively formed and arranged and coupled with the several operating devices of the machine that the fabric feedmechanism responds once during each revolution of its cam to advance the web a single step and to provide a pause following such step, the wire feed mechanism responds during each revolution of its cam to thrust a wire through the web during the web pause following each step in advance of a selected number of steps, the wire cut off and end shaping mechanism respond to each revolution of its cam to cut off each section of wire thrust through the web and bend the ends over the, margins of the web, and wire feed control means responds to the revolution of its cam to render the wire feed mechanism inoperative for that revolution of the shaft following a determined selected number of shaft revolutions, and web severing mechanism responds to the revolution of its cam to sever the web following said selected number-of shaft revolutions.

Another object is to provide, in, a machine of the class described having a rotatably driven cam shaft provided with a plurality of cams one for eachof the operating devices of the machine such as, for example, the fabric feed, the wire feed and supporting mechanism, and the skip feed for the wire feed mechanism, certain mech-. anisms which respond to each rotation of their cams to perform their function and other mechanism'which respond only to a predetermined number of revolutions of their cams to perform their functions. The mechanisms which respond to a predetermined number of revolutions of their cams to perform their functions may respond by having a part interposed in-the driven connection from the shaft which part renders the connection operative, or by having a part withdrawn from its driving relationship in the driven connection from the shaft which withdrawal renders the driving connection inoperative.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 (Sheet 1) is a schematic illustration of the operation designed to be carried out by the machine .of this application;

- Fig. 2 (Sheet 2) is a front elevation of a machine as sembly which is adapted to perform the operation illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 (Sheet 3) is a back elevation of the wire feed mechanism portion of the machine;

Fig. 4 (Sheet 4) is a vertical section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 (Sheet 5) is a vertical section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.showing the structure partly in elevation;

Fig. 6 (Sheet 4) is a vertical section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig 3; being a fragment of the wire feed mechanism;

Fig. 7 (Sheet 4) is a vertical section taken on the line 7-7 of Fig; 3;

Fig. 8 (Sheet 5) is a horizontal sectional view looking downward taken on the'line 8-8 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 (Sheet 4) is a perspective of the subframe portion of the wire feed assembly shown in Figs. 4 and 5,;

Fig. 10 (Sheet 3) is a cross section taken on the line 1010 of Fig. 3 showing the mounting of the adjustment for the chain tightener for the wire feed mechanism;

Fig. 11 (Sheet 5) is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 11-11 of Fig. 5 showing the wire buckling safety switch control mechanismand the bracket support for one end of the wire guide. sleeve extending between the wire feed mechanism and the main portion of the machine partly in elevation;

Fig. 12 (Sheet 5) is a vertical sectional 'view taken on the line 12-12 of Fig.5 showing the bracket support at the machine for the other end of the wire guide sleeve;

Fig. 13 (Sheet 6) is a side elevation of the wire straightener mechanism associated with the wire feed;

Fig. 14 (Sheet 6) is a top plan view of the wire straightener mechanism shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 (Sheet 10) is a fragmentary back elevation showing the intermediate portion of the main shaft pro- Fig. 17 (Sheet 8) is a top plan view of the main portion of the machine indicated by the letter B in Fig. 2;

Fig. 18 (Sheet 9) is a front elevation of the machine shown in top plan view in Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 (Sheet 11) is an end elevation looking in the direction of the arrow 19 in Fig. 18; a

Fig. 20 (Sheet 11) is anend elevation looking at the opposite end of the machine and in the direction of the arrow 20 in Fig. 18; i

Fig. 21 (Sheet 7) is..a1ver.tical sectional view taken on the line 21-21 of Fig. 15 looking in the direction of the arrow;

Fig. .22 (Sheet 10.) is. a vertical sectional view taken on the line 22*22 ofFig. 18;

Fig. 23 (Sheet 7) is an elevation of the fabric feed roll actuating mechanism taken on the vertical section line 23m23. ofFig. 2;

Fig. 24. (Sheet 7) is a vertical sectional view taken on the section line 24:24 of Fig. 23;

Fig. 25 (Sheet 12) is a perspective of separated fragments of upper and lower bridge members and cooperating fluting shoes;

Fig. 26(Sheet 10) is a fragmentary vertical sectional viewtaken on the line 2626 of Fig. 15 through the upper and lower bridge assemblies;

Fig. 27 (Sheet 5) is as cross sectional fragmentary view taken on the line 27-27 of Fig. 15;

Fig. 28 (Sheet 5) is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the section line 28-28 of Fig. 27;

Fig. 29- (Sheet -12) is an end elevation taken from the left end of Fig. 2 showing the operating mechanism and its support for the two timing switches mounted on the bed plate of the -machine;

Fig. 30 (Sheet 13) is a perspective of the operating mechanism and its support for the two timing switches taken from the opposite side as compared to the view of Fig. 29;

Fig. 31 (Sheet 13) is a horizontal sectional view taken on the section line 3131 of Fig. 29;

Fig. 32 (Sheet 11) is a vertical sectional view taken on theline- 32-32 of'Fig. 29;

Fig. 33 (Sheet 11) is a vertical sectional view taken on theline 3333 of Fig. 29.

In Fig. 1 the operation of the machine is illustrated schematically. Burlap or other usable fabric is withdrawn from a suitably supported roll 101 and fed lengthwise through the machine. This fabric may be provided in any desired width. The. opposite longitudinal edges of the burlap may be folded over and stitched down as at 102 through the employment of any conventional mechanismsuitable for the purpose. At 103 suitable fabric folding means is diagrammatically illustrated and at 104 stitching means is diagrammatically illustrated.

As the burlap enters the machine it passes between the upper and lower complementary burlap pleating shoes which form a plurality of parallel longitudinally extending pleats in the burlap. The fabric is drawn forwardlythrough the machine by feed rolls 106 and 108. It passes over a guide roll 110 which guide rollis spaced between the pleating shoes and the feed rolls. The fabric is drawn'forwardly'in a successionof steps which stepsalternate withpauses in the forward movement of the fabric. During the pauses in the advance of the burlap a reinforcing wire 112 is thrust transversely through-the pleats formed in-thefabric. Such wire is cut E and bent over a marginal fold of the burlap and clenched thereinto as hereinafter described.

It will be seen in Fig. 1 that a succession of wire sections 112 are arranged in spaced parallel relationship as a group. A second group of similarly spaced wires likewise indicated at 112 is shown spaced ahead of the first group a distance greater than the spacing between the individual wires in the group. This spacing of greater length provides a blank interval through which the fabric is severed by mechanism hereinafter described.

A reel of reinforcing wire is indicated in Fig. 1 at 114. Wire is withdrawn therefrom by wire feed mechanism indicated generally as W and advanced through the pleats in the burlap. This wire feed mechanism advances the wires in a step by step movement. The intermittent advance of the wire is coordinated with the intermittent advance of the burlap so that the wire is thrust through the pleats in the burlap during the pauses in the advance of the burlap and the burlap is drawn forwardly during the pauses in the advance of the wire and after the wire section thrust through the burlap has been cut off. There is a skip feed in the advance of the wire which provides the extra length intervals between successive groups of wires as shown in Fig. l.

Positioned between the reel of wire 114 and the wire feed mechanism W there is disposed suitable wire straightening mechanism and wire holding and braking mechanism indicated generally in Fig. 1 as H.

In Fig. 2 the wire reel is omitted, but the wire 112 therefrom is shown at the top of the sheet 'as entering the wire straightening and holding mechanism H and the wire feed mechanism is generally there indicated as W. The wire is not shown as leaving the wire feed mechanism and entering the machine in Fig. 2, but that part of the machine which includes the burlap feed rolls and the pleating shoes is indicated in Fig. 2 generally by the letter B. The burlap severing mechanism or shears is indicated generally in Fig. 2 by the letter S and the timing mechanism which coordinates certain movements of themachine as hereinafterpset forth is indicated by the letter T and is shown at the left of Fig. 5.

The various mechanisms referred to and which collectively make up the entire machine are shown in Fig. 2 as mounted upon a leg supported bed plate or table 116. An electric motor 118 is suspended below the table. This motor through driving means 120 drives a Reeves reduction drive device R through which Reeves device all of the mechanism of the machine is driven. The Reeves device drives a main shaft M upon which are mounted all of the various cams which actuate parts of the machine. This main shaft passes directly through the Reeves as shown particularly in Figs. 2. and 3. The main shaft M is shown in Figs. 2 and 3 as projecting beyond the end of the Reeves away from the machine and as having such end projection broken oif. This was for the purpose of driving other mechanisms not shown in this application.

Fig. 3 is a back view and shows the Reeves device as provided with a driven sprocket 122 which drives a chain 124 which chain extends to a sprocket 1260f the wire feed mechanism W to drive the wire feed mechanism.

Wire feed mechanism The wire feed mechanism W is supported upon the bed plate 116 adjacent to the Reeves device. The housing for the wire feed mechanism comprises a pair of spaced upright side frames 128. One of these upright frames is shown in elevation in Figs. 2 and 3. It is interiorly cut away as at 129 exposing operating mechanism supported between the two side frames. Mounted upon and superimposing the upright side frames 128 is a head casting 130. This head casting 130 supports the wire feed drive shaft 132. In Fig. 4 the shaft is shown as extending through the casting and journaled therein adjacent to its two ends as at 134. Cover plates 135 extend over the bearings. This drive shaft is a short shaft and projects at the rear beyond the head casting. Such projecting end is provided with a drive sprocket 126 fastened to the shaft. The drive chain 124 from the Reeves sprocket 122 extends about this sprocket 126 and drives the shaft 132.

A chain tightener adjustable to tighten the chain is shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 10. The chain tightener comprises a bracket provided with a base plate 138. This base plate is seated within a recess 140 in a side frame 128. It is secured within this recess to the side frame by screws or the like, as shown in Fig. 10. An arm 142 projects outwardly from the base 138 normally thereto and is provided at its outer end with a head portion 144. This head portion forms with the arm a part which is T-shaped in cross section. The bracket includes a reinforcing web member 145 which extends between the base and the head, as illustrated in Fig. 10.

A plate 146 is adjustably slidably seated upon this T-head 144, as shown in Figs. 3 and 10. This plate is recessed on its face which juxtaposes the T-head to seat thereover as shown in Fig. 10. Such plate is provided with a slot 148 which extends lengthwise of the plate. Fastening screws 150 are adjustably threaded in the head 144. These screws extend through the slot 148. They are provided with head caps which overhang the margins of the slot and hold the sliding plate in adjusted positions to which it may be moved in tightening the chain.

The plate 146 is provided at its upper end with an inwardly projecting boss 152 which boss is fixed to the plate by welding or the like. A stub shaft 154 is carried by and projects inwardly of the boss toward the side frame 128. This stub shaft is secured to the boss by a set screw or the like (Fig. 10). A chain engaging sprocket 156 is rotatably journaled upon this stub shaft being held thereon by a head on the end of the shaft. It is apparent that by adjusting the sliding plate 146 upon the bracket head 144 the tension on the chain may be increased or decreased.

Thewire feed drive shaft 132'has a gear 160 fixed thereon to rotate therewith. This gear, as shown in Fig. 4, is mounted within the head casting 130. The wire feed mechanism is driven by this gear 160. Such gear 160 meshes with and drives two gears 162 and 164 (Fig. 3) which gears are similar and similarly spaced upon opposite sides of the drive gear 160. These gears 162 and 164 are separately mounted upon separate shafts 166 which shafts are journaled in the opposite sides of the head casting upon bearings 167 closed by cover plates 169. One of these gears and its shaft is shown at the top of Fig. 6 (Sheet 4). Each gear has a wire feed roll 168 fixed thereto to rotate therewith. These two wire feed rolls are similar and they constitute the two upper wire feed rolls. These upper feed rolls are constantly driven because the two gears that carry them are always in mesh with and constantly driven by the gear 160. These two upper feed rolls with their gears constitute an upper wire feed roll assembly.

There is a lower wire feed roll assembly which includes two lower wire feed rolls 170 with their companion driving gears 180. One of these wire feed rolls and its gear is shown in Fig. 6. These two lower wire feed rolls are adapted to engage the two upper wire feed rolls to grip the wire therebetween.

Each lower wire feed roll is provided with a circumferential groove 172. Each upper wire feed roll is provided with a complementary circumferential rib 174. These ribs 174 of the two upper wire feed rolls fit within the grooves 172 of the two lower wire feed rolls. The wire 112 is held frictionally between the ribs and the bottofirs of the grooves to be advanced upon rotation of the ro s.

Each lower wire feed roll 170 is fixed upon a hub 176 which hub is fixed upon a shaft 178. Each hub also carries a lower wire feed roll gear 180. Such gear 180 are constantly driven by the gear 160 and the two lower wire feed roll gears in mesh with their companion upper wire feed roll gears. They are constantly in mesh with the two upper wire feed roll gears. Fig. 6 shows an upper wire feed roll 168 engaged with a lower wire feed roll 170 and the rib 174 of the upper roll holding the wire against the bottom of the groove '172 in the lower roll. While the upper and lower wire feed rolls are constantly driven, the feeding of the wire is intermittent due to the fact that the lower wire feed r'ollassembly is periodically swung downward so that the wire is released. The downward swing of the lower wire feed rolls is smalLbeing insuflicient to break the driving engagement of the upper and lower wire feed roll gears. Itis sufficient, however, to release the wire so that it is no longer gripped between the rolls to be driven thereby.

The two lower Wire'feed rolls 170 and their gears 180 areshown in Fig. 8,. Sheet 5. Each of the two shafts 178 upon which a lower wire'feed roll and its gear is mounted is itself journaled at. opposite ends within bearings 181 within a cradle frame 182. Cover plates 7183 close the ends of the bearings over the ends of the shafts. This cradle 182 is pivotally supported upon the trunnions 184 between the two side plates of a swinging frame 186, as shown particularly in Fig. 8. This swinging frame 186 is pivotally supported at one end upon trunnions 18'8 carried by the wire feed mechanism upright frame members 128. (Note Figs. 3, 5, and 8.)

The normal position of the cradle 182 and the swinging frame 186 which carries the cradle is swung down away from the upper wire feed roll assembly. Such downward drop is insufficient to withdraw the lower wire feed roll gears 180 out of driving engagement with, the upper wire feed roll gears 164 but is suflicient to move the lower wire feed rolls away from the upper wire feed rolls so that the wire is no longer gripped therebetween to be driven thereby. As the swinging frame and cradle drop down, the lower feed rolls withdraw away from the upper feed rolls and away from the wire so that the ad- Vance of the wire is interrupted. The lower wire feed rolls then rotate idly and the wire remains stationary.

The Wobble or cradle swing of the cradle 1'82 upon its trunnions 184 on the swinging frame 186 is yieldingly limited by expansion coil springs 190, shown in Figs. 3 and 5. These springs encircle pins 192 carried by and extending upwardly from ears on the sides of the cradle through lugs 194 of the stationary frame. These springs extend between the ears and the lugs. When the swinging frame 186 drops these springs 190 act upon both ends of the cradle to maintain it upon an even keel so that both of the lower wire feed rolls will disengage the wire. These springs also serve to maintain the cradle on an even keel when it is raised thereby causing the two lower wire feed rolls to be brought into engagement with the wire and hold it up against the two upper wire feed rolls.

A stationary guide 196 for the wire is shown in Figs. 3' and 5. Such wire guide is disposed between the two pairs of upper and lower wire feed rolls and approximately directly above the pivotal support 184 of the cradle. This wire guide 196 is shown in Figs. 3 and 4 as in the form of an angular bracket fixed to the frame and provided with "a wire guide passageway therethrou'gh for the wire.

This lower wire feed roll assembly is adapted to be raised by cam operated mechanism. A wire feed control cam 198 is fixed on the main shaft M, Figs. 3 and to rotate therewith. This main shaft M which extends through the Reeves device (Fig. 2) is continuously driven. This cam is also shown in Fig. 15, Sheet 10. Fig. shows the main shaft cams. A roller 200 carried by the swinging frame assembly rides on the periphery of this wire feed control cam. Such roller rises and falls. with 8 the rotation e f-the cam to, raise -and 'lower the lower wire feed roll assemblintoand out "of its wire feeding'eng-agement withthe .ppper wire feed roll' assembly.

This-roller 7200 is, journaled:directly-on a stub shaft 202. This shaftis'fixed to the outer end of an Lashaped.

The subframe. 20 8is, provided with spring pads 212 projecting laterally from opposite sides (Figs. 3, '5 and 9). These twospring pads support two heavy springs 214. Thesesprings 'inturn hold the free end'of the swinging rframe .;l'86 --upward'ly (Fig. 5). The upper ends of these springs 214 seat within rests in the bottom of the swinging frame. Thesubframe is coupled with the swinging frame to preven-t toogreat a separation therebetween by an upright connectingpin 216. Such pin is adju'stably threaded :intov the subframe and extends upwardly therefrom freely-through a provided aperture in the swinging frame, as shown in Fig. 5. The tension of the springs 214- is adjustable by means of adjustment screws 218 threaded thronghihe spring pads 212 and providedwith plates 220whichplates rest directly underneath the springs.

As shown inFig. 9--thesubframe has-an apertured end 21.1:which is mounted upon the pivot 210; The opposite end of the subframe is provided with a pair of spaced apartapertured ears 209 which carry the pivot 206 .upon which pivot the swinging arm .204 is. mounted. The subframeis generally fork shapedandthe two forks terminate .in, theears .209. Thesefork portions are connectedtogether by amweb. sothatthe subframe constitutes a strong integral-structure The spring pads 212 are extensions laterally of the .connecting web. This webis also extended to provide a channelrshaped member 213 having .a downwardly open channel 230. The ,L.-shaped roller carrying Yarm. 204 which is pivoted upon the pin 206 between theears. 209 of the subframe has a downwardly projecting portion 222 ,(Figs. '5 land 7). This portion-222 of the arm has permitted swinging clearance within a cutaway opening22j4 of the channel portion 213v of the subframe, as shown particularly in Fig. 9 and whichis providedt-for a purpose hereinafter described.

A control bar .226 is pivotally supported at one end upona pivot 228 .within the channel 230 formed in the part 2130f the subframe, as shown in Figs. 7 and 9. This control baris normallyheld upwardly at the position shown-infsolid linev in Fig. 7 and as also shown in Figs. 3 andfi by along spiral spring 232 which spring encircles a, rod.23.4, F ig. 3. Such rod ,has its upper end pivoted at 235 to the outer end of. the control bar. The rod is coupled at its lower end with a solenoid plunger 236. The solenoid assembly which includes the plunger isindicated in Fig. 3 as 233. This solenoid forms a part of timing mechanism hereinafter described under such heading. At determined intervals the solenoid is energized to draw theplunger and the rod 234 down against the resistance of the spring 232 and to withdraw the control bar 226to the position shown in dotted outline in Fig. 7.

When the rod isdrawn downwardly so that the control bar 226 is swung to theposition shown in dotted outline in Fig. 7.,such bar is, pulled out of the channel.

230 and the lowerend' 222 of the L-shaped roller carrying arm 204 is free to swingwithin the cut away opening 224 in the subframe. When this. occurs lifting of the r'oller 200 by cam I98 does not lift the subframe .208 andtheswing inglframe 186. The roller carrying armrat such ftini es tiwiligfiidly uponjitspivot 206' and the lower 9 end 222 of the arm swings freely within the cut away opening 224.

It will be understood that as the main shaft M rotates continuously during the running for the machine the cam 198 lifts the roller 200 once for each revolution of the shaft. When the control bar 226 occupies the solid line position shown in Figs. and 7 lifting of the roller 200 lifts the subframe 208 and the swinging frame 186 and the cradle 182. At such time the roller carrying arm 204 cannot swing upon its pivot 206 because this is prevented by the presence of the control bar 226. Whenever the subframe and cradle are lifted, as described, the wire is gripped between the upper and lower wire feed rolls. As the wire feed rolls are continuously driven the wire is advanced as soon as it is gripped between the upper and lower sets of rolls. This advance continues only so long as the lower wire feed roll assembly is held upwardly, which is normally but a short are of the main shaft M. The wire is fed forwardly rapidly when it is advanced.

During the pauses between the intermittent advances of the wire the wire is cut off, the ends are clenched over and the burlap is pulled forwardly to a new position to receive another wire. At those intervals when the timing mechanism operates to energize the solenoid and the rod 234 draws the free end of the control bar 226 down and the roller carrying arm 204 swings idly there occurs what might be termed a skip feed of the wire. It is this skip feed of the wire which produces the extra length intervals between the groups of wire previously mentioned in the discussion of Fig. 1 and shown in such figure.

It is desirable that the wire be as straight as possible and free from kinks when it enters the wire feed mechanism. For this purpose wire straightening mechanism is provided. Such wire straightening mechanism is shown in Figs. 13 and 14, Sheet 6. Such wire straightener is supported by a bracket or platform 240 mounted at one side of the wire feed mechanism and supported upon the two side frames 128 of the wire feed mechanism. Such wire straightener comprises one series of vertically disposed hardened rollers 242 between which the wire 112 is drawn by the wire feed rolls and a second series of horizontally disposed hardened rollers 244 arranged in line with the vertically disposed series of hardened rollers. Such wire straightener serves to straighten the wire in both the vertical and horizontal planes. From this straightening mechanism the wire passes between the wire feed rolls.

It is not only necessary that after the wire has been thrust through the fabric that its advance be stopped in order that it may be cut off and have the ends of the cut off section bent over, but it is also necessary that the advance of the wire from which the section has been cut off be abruptly halted. Such stoppages of the advance of the wire takes place by gripping the wire securely at a point'between the wire carrying roll 114 and the wire straightening mechanism 240.

Upon the outer end of the wire straightener 240 there is mounted an opposed pair of wire gripping plungers carried by a housing 246. The upper plunger 248 is adjustably threadedly mounted within the housing. The housing is cut away providing an opening 250 and the wire gripping end of the plunger 248 is visible within this opening (Fig. 13). This upper plunger is stationary except that it has this permitted adjustment. A wire guide nose 252 is shown on the face of the housing 246 and through which the wire is guided to enter the housing between the plungers. There is a lower plunger 254 which is adapted to be raised to grip the wire between the lower plunger and the upper plunger or to be lowered to permit the advance of the wire.

This lower plunger 254 is adjustably mounted within a socket 256 carried by brake lever arm 262. This socket is provided with a pivot 258 which pivot is mounted within a slot 260 in the brake lever arm. The arm 262 is swingably supported at 264 upon the outer end of a brake lever 266. This lever 266 is fixed at 268 to the swinging frame 186 to swing with such frame. The outer end of this lever 266 has an upwardly offset rigid end section 270 provided with an oversize passageway 272 through which the socket part 256 extends and within which it is permitted to float, as shown in Fig. 16. The swinging brake lever arm 262 is held yieldingly upwardly toward the offset extension 270 of the brake lever 266 by a spring 274. Such spring is carried by a pin 276 which pin is threaded into the offset end extension 270 and passes slidably through an aperture in the arm 262, as shown in Fig. 13.

When the swinging frame 186 of the wire feed mechanism drops down, as heretofore described, and releases the wire from between the wire feed rolls the outer end of the brake lever arm 266 swings upwardly and the plunger 254 grips the wire 112 against the upper plunger 248 and the wire is held stationary. The wire is therefore automatically gripped and held between the upper and lower plungers at all times when the lower feed roll assembly is dropped down away from the upper wire feed roll assembly.

The wire passes from the wire feed mechanism W into the machine through a sleeve or guide channel member 280, as shown in Fig. 5. A bracket 282 is fixed to one side of the wire feed mechanism frame by screws of the like shown in Fig. 11. This bracket is provided with a seat to removably support one end of the wire guide sleeve 280, the sleeve being held therein by a set screw 284, as shown in Fig. 11.

The opposite end of the wire guide sleeve 280 is supported upon the frame of the machine by a bracket 300 secured by screws or the like to the frame, as shown in Figs. 5 and 12. This bracket is cut away as at 302 and a set screw 304 is adapted to be threaded into this opening to hold the end of the sleeve therein. The sleeve may be readily removed from the bracket by releasing the set screws 284 and 304.

This wire guide sleeve is provided with an opening 286 which is the one free space between the wire feed mechanism W and the fabric feeding and pleating part of the machine B within which the wire can buckle. Should there be some failure on the part of the brake mechanism or the wire feed mechanism whereby the wire continued to fed after it was desired to stop the same and after its entrance into the burlap feeding and pleating part of the machine was blocked in some way, this opening 286 provides -a space into which the wire could buckle upwardly.

A wire buckling safety switch device is provided to stop the machine upon buckling of the wire into this opening 186. This safety switch device has a plunger 288 which projects into the opening 286 and rests normally lightly on top of the wire, as shown in Fig. 11. The plunger is held down on the wire by a spring 294. The plunger is slidably supported within a guide 290 mounted upon an upwardly projecting backing plate 292 of a bracket 282. The upper end of the plunger is adapted to engage a roller 296 on the end of a safety switch lever 297. If the wire buckles it lifts the plunger and trips the safety switch. This switch is disposed in the control circuit for the machine and upon the tripping of the switch the circuit is broken and the machine is stopped.

Wire cut ofi and end shaping mechanism The machine is provided with mechanism which serves to cut off and bend the opposite ends of the wire strands thrust through the fabric web over the margins of the fabric. The mechanism is more particularly described in my above mentioned co-pending application, but sufficient detail is herein set forth to provide a general picture of its operation. I

. Suitable fabric such as burlap, is withdrawn from a roll of fabric and advanced through the machine, as herein described. During such advance this fabric is pleated lengthwise, as illustrated'injFig. 1 and'thej wire feed mechanism thrusts the reinforcing wire through the fabric during the pauses in its intermittent advance. That portion of the wire which has been thrust through the fabric is cut off and bent over selected parts of the fabric and clenched into the fabric. In the drawings, the fabric 100 is illustrated as having its margins folded over and stitched down to provide marginal'folds or. reinforcements 102 and the transverse reinforcing wire 112 are bent over these marginal folds 102 and clenched into the fabric. This is shown schematicallyin Fig. 1.

After the wire has been thrust'through the pleats in the fabric the section of the wire so thrust through is cut off. Such section is not only cut off, but the extreme end of the section which has been thrust entirely through the fabric is also cut off. Such cutting oif of the outer end of the wire section isdone in order that the lengthof the wire section shall be accurately established and both ends of the wire section shall be accurately and correspondingly shaped so that the bending of the wire about the marginal folds of the fabric will be accurately accomplished. Such marginal folds of the fabric may, if desired, be otherwise reinforced and might'even be formed in the fabric spaced to extend parallel to its margins. Similar'wire cut off and end shaping devices are therefore provided on both margins of the burlap, as illustrated schematically in Fig. 1 by the reference identification WC.

The wire cut off and end shaping mechanism. is mounted upon the end frame members of the machine B, Fig. 2. This machine B comprises fabricadvancin'g and pleating means, fabric cut off means, and the wire cut OE and end shaping means. In Fig. 2 this machine structure B is shown in front elevation in combination with other parts of the entire assembly. Fig. 17, Sheet8, is a top plan view of the machine B. Fig. 18, Sheet 9, is a front elevation, partly broken away, about the pivotal support of the shears.

Fig. 19, Sheet 11, shows one end frame support 306 of the machine B which support is mounted upon the bed plate 116, Fig. 2. This end frame support is the one seen looking in the direction'of the arrow 19 in Fig. 18. At such end the machine is provided with a single end frame member 306. At the opposite end of the machine there are provided two end frame members 308 and 310 shown in Fig. 20, Sheet 11. This Fig. 20 is taken looking in the direction of arrow 20 in Fig. 1.8.

The wire feed cut off and end shaping devices 'are operated by means driven from the main shaft This shaft M is journaled in the end frame member 306 and in the end frame member 310, as shown in Figs. 19, 20 and 15. Superimposing the end frame member 306 is a head casting 312. superimposing the end frame'memher 310 is a similar head casting 312. These head castings support and generally carrythe wire'cut'off and end shaping devices; They are fixed upon the end frame members by stub bolts or the like as shown in Fig. 21.

The wire bending and cut off mechanism is mounted within these head castings 312.. The manner offmounting and the linkage serving to actuate this mechanism is not shown in the figures of this case, and for a more complete understanding of these details reference to our co-pending application if necessary. It suffices to say that'the wire cut off and bending mechanism, comprising two units with one unit mounted adjacenteach marginal edge of the fabric web uponhead castings 312, receives each end of the wire section as it is thrust through the web, cuts off the wire and bends each end over the margins of the web.

It should be noted that in some of the figures certain cams, gears, rocker arms, and cam followers etc., are shown to which no reference is'made. These are provided in the machine for such purposes as the actuation of the 'wire cut ofi and end bending mechanism, the fabric severing mechanism, and in certain instances ,the timing mechanism synchronizing the movements of such mechanisms. They are of nolconcern in the present description and reference must-be had:to ourco-pending application for details of their. operation.

Fabric feed mechanism A strip of burlap is drawn forwardly step by step from the supply roll101 by the fabric feed rolls 106 and 1%. The large roll 106 is mounted on the shaft N. This shaft N extends parallel to the main shaft M and is disposed forwardly thereof. It is supported within the end frame members 366 and 308 as shown in Figs. 17, 18 and 19. It extends at both ends beyond these frame members. It is driven in a step by step manner. This large feed roll shaft is provided outside of the end casting 3% with a large gear 314 which gear is fixed on the shaft as shown in Figs. 2 and 19. Sheets 2 and 11, respectively. The opposite end of this shaft is journaled at its extremity within a bracket 316 (Fig. 2) mounted on the end of the timing gear casting hereinafter described. That, portion of the shaft extending, between the end frame member 308 and the bracket 316 carries a one way clutch mechanism which responds to the rotation of a cam on the main shaft M to rotate the shaft N in a step by step manner.

This large gear 314 meshes with a small gear 318 mounted on the projecting end of a shaft 320 which shaft carries the small feed roll 108. The small feed roll 108 is held under spring tension toward thelarge feed roll 106., The opposite ends of the shaft 320 which shaft carries the small feed roll,,are journaled within bearing blocks 322. (Fig. 20, Sheet 11.) These bearing blocks are slidably mounted within guideways 324 which guideways are formed in the end castings 366 and 308 providing permitted adjustable movement of thesmall roll 31S toward and away from the large roll 314. A pin 326 is threaded into each bearing block 322. This pin projects outwardly from the block and slidably through a stud 328, as shown particularly in Fig. 20, Sheet 11. This stud is threaded into a cap casting 330, which cap casting is secured to the end frame member 3% or 308, as the case may be. The pin 326 has a nut 332 threaded thereon which nut bears against the end of the stud 328.

An expansion spring 334 encircles the pin 326 bearing at one end against the slidable block 322 and at its opposite end against the stud 328. These springs exert a tension on the blocks which mount the small feed roll. The

small feed roll is therefore yieldingly held toward the large feed roll within the range of its permitted movement. Adjustment of the nuts 332 on the pins 326 determines the limit of movement of the small roll toward the large roll and therefore determines the. minimum clearance between the two rolls. The springs permit the small roll to yield outwardly away from the large feed roll to permit fabric strips of'varying thickness to pass between the rolls. The burlap web which carries cross wires and has its margins folded over varies in thickness from place to place. Actually this permitted adjustment of the small roll with respect to the large roll is very small because it necessarily has to be within the driving, engagement of the teeth of the gears 314 and 318.

The fabric guide roll 110 is disposed above the fabric 1 feed rolls 106 and 108, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and also in Figs. 19 and 20, Sheet 11. This guide roll is provided adjacent to its opposite ends with circumferential fabric guide bands 334 shown particularly in Fig- 18, Sheet 9. These bands are adapted to engage the longitudinal margins of the fabric web to serve as guides therefor. These bands 334 are adjustable axially of the roll to suit fabric strips of different width. Fig. 18 shows one band as provided with set screws.

I This guide roll110 is adjustable fore and aft of the machine for the purpose shown in Fig. 22, Sheet 10, and as also illustrated in Fig. 1. This adjustment is for the purpose 'of being able to set the particular point at which the fabric'will be severed by the shears, by varying the length of the run of the fabric between the fabric feed rolls 106 and 108 and the point at which the reinforcing wires 112 are inserted through the fabric. i i

This guide roll is shown as mounted upon a shaft 336 (Fig. 18, Sheet 9). Fixed to opposite ends of the shaft are pinions 338.- These pinions are rotatably supported upon stationary rack bars 340. These rack bars are fixed upon the end frame members306 and 308, as shown in Fig. 17, Sheet 8, and Fig. 18, Sheet 11. The pinions 338 are supported upon the rack bars 340 for travel fore and aft thereover; The ends of the shaft project beyond the pinions and are journaled within brackets 342. These brackets are secured by stud bolts or the like 344 to the end frame members, as shown in Figs. 19 and 20, Sheet 11. These brackets are slotted as at 346 and'the end frame members are provided with a line of spaced apart apertures 348 arranged below the rack bars 340 whereby the brackets have a substantial range of adjustment fore and aft of the machine to vary the position of the guide roll 110, as shown in Fig. 22.

As heretofore set forth, the fabric is fed forward step by step. This step by step advance of the fabric is provided for by mechanism responsive to the rotation of a cam on the main shaft. This cam on themain shaft is so arranged and mounted with respect to other cams on the main shaft which control the functioning of other parts of the machine that the burlap is advanced in proper timed sequence with the performance of other operations. The main shaft cam which actuates the mechanism to advance the burlap is shown in Fig. 2 and indicated as 350. This cam is shown cut away in Fig. 23, Sheet 7, which shows' most clearly this step by step advance mechanism.

This cam 350 acts upon a roller 352 to swing a lever 354. The roller is mounted at the upper end of the lever. The lever is pivoted at its lower end at 356 to a bracket mounted on the bed plate 116 of the machine. The lever is coupled by a link 358 with an arm 360 of one way clutch mechanism mounted on the end of the shaft N which shaft carries the large burlap feed roll 106. The

only function of the shaft N is to carry this large feedroll.

The clutch mechanism itself is a spring-pressed roller one-way clutch device of a generally conventional character. The outer part 362 of the clutch carries two arms 360 and 364. The arm 364 of the clutch is held by a tension spring 366 through 356, shown in Fig. 23 as connected with the bed plate, to tend to rotate this outer part 362 of the clutch in a counterclockwise direction. The inner part 360 of the clutch is fixed to the shaft N. The outer part 362 is rotatably supported upon the inner part and upon the shaft N as shown in Fig. 25. Clutch rollers 370 held by springs 372 are disposed within cut away openings 374 in the inner part of the clutch. Upon rotation of the outer part 362 (Fig. 23) of the clutch in a clockwise direction by swinging of the lever these rollers grip the inner part of the clutch and the large feed roll 106 is rotated clockwise through an arc to advance the burlap one step. This advance of the burlap occurs once for each revolution of the main shaft M.

To vary the length of the step so as to vary the spacing of the wires through the fabric the lever 354 is provided with adjustment means. There is a stud 376 which stud is rotatably threaded within the lever. One end of the link 358 is adjustably threaded upon this stud so that the link may be adjusted lengthwise over the stud thereby varying the length of the are of rotation of the feed roll 106.

cooperating upper and lower fluting shoes carried by such bridge members so that the fabric is fluted, as shown.

The 'lower bridge member is indicated as 380. It extends between and is supported upon inwardly projecting end portions of the head casting 312, as shown in Fig. 15, Sheet 10; Fig. 21, Sheet 7; and Fig. 25,- Sheet 12. This lower bridge member is secured to these head castings by stud bolts 381 or the like, as shown in Fig. 21. i The numeral 382, Fig. 15, indicates a reinforcing rib on the bottim of this lower bridge member. The bridge member 380 is provided with upwardly projecting pleating shoes 384 secured thereto in spaced relationship lengthwise of the member. Each shoe is provided with a slot 386 in its forward edge, which slot is adapted to receive the wire 112, as shown in Fig. 25.

' The upper bridge member 390 is supported at its opposite ends upon the tops of the head castings 312 and extends across therebetwcen, as shown in Fig. 17, Sheet 8. It superimposes in spaced relationship the lower bridge member 380. The upper bridge member carries a series of depending upper fluting shoes 392. These shoes are supported by brackets 394 to depend below the bridge 390 (Fig.25, Sheet 12). These brackets are secured to the bridge by adjustable bolt and nut means 396. These upper fluting shoes 392 are positioned in spaced apart alignment lengthwise along the upper bridge member to be received in the intervals between the lower pleating shoes, as shown particularly in Fig. 15.

Each upper pleating shoe 392 is provided with a hardened Wire receiving insert 398 secured within the forward edge of the shoe, as shown in Fig. 25. Such insert block is slotted as at 400 to receive the wire therethrough.

Wire holding mechanism A wire retaining device in the form of an angular lever 402 is pivoted at 404 at one sideof each bracket 394 as shown in Figs. 25 and 26. This lever is held by a light spring 406 so that the foot 410 of the lever holds the wire 112 within the groove 400 in the upper pleating shoe. This spring 406 is mounted upon an adjustment screw 408 whereby its tension may be adjusted. Such lever will readily yield against the tension of the spring 406 so as to permit the fabric to be pulled forwardly in its step by step advance.

There is a swingable wire holding plate which extends along in front of the lower fiuting shoe supporting bridge 380 and which is adapted to be swung to hold the wire positively in the slots 386 formed in the ends of the lower fluting shoes 384. This swingable plate comprises an intermediate portion 412 and two short end portions 414, Fig. 25. The intermediate portion is pivotally supported by arms 416 which are secured thereto adjacent the opposite ends thereof. These arms are pivoted at 418 to lugs underneath the bridge 380, as shown in Fig. 25. This plate is provided with wire engaging lip portions 420 which serve to hold the wire within the grooves 386 in the lower fluting shoes as shown in Fig. 25

The intermediate portion of the plate is actuated from the two end portions thereof. These end portions are cam actuated. The operation of these two end portions is shown particularly in Figs. 21, 27, Sheets 7 and 5; and Fig. 25, Sheet. 12. Each end portion is swung by cam actuated compound lever mechanism. The cams are carried by the main shaft M. One of these lever devices is shown particularly in Fig. 25. The two lever devices are similar. Each compound lever device comprises an upper lever part 422which carries the end plate portion 414. This is a relatively short plate portion and is secured to the lever part by screws or the like, as shown in Figs. 25 and 27. This lever part is pivoted at 424 to a block 426 shown in Figs. 27, and 28, Sheet 5. This block is secured by screws or the like to the head casting 312. The short plate portion 414 carried by this up per lever part has a projecting lip portion 415 (Fig. 25) adapted to be received within the wire holding recess formed underneath a plate 417 which plate is secured to 

